Koji Igarashi leaves Konami

"I've decided to break out on my own"

Konami producer Koji Igarashi, best known for his work on over a dozen Castlevania titles, left the company on March 15 to start an indie studio.

"I've decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make - the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well," he told Polygon.

"Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly - I've spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities - but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next."

Igarashi joined Konami in 1990 and after working on Detana! Twinbee requested a transfer to the Castlevania series. His last Castlevania game was Castlevania: Harmony of Despair for XBLA.

He'll speak at this week's GDC conference with There and Back Again: Koji Igarashi's Metroidvania Tale on Friday afternoon.

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Annnnd I bet we see a Kickstarter for something like a Mighty No. 9... but as some sort of vampire-themed/supernatural side-scroller in the vein of Castlevania (pun not intended, but I'll take it!). Or that's what the hardcore 2D-heads would love to believe is coming next...